Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-10-07
A TRAMP'S ROMANCE.
BY VINCENT BELL.

A huge pile Of long hickory sticks,
tiny, little heap of sawed wood, a
long, lazy boy lying in the grass be-
side the idle saw and buck-that was
what the tramp saw as he looked over
the high board fence into the barn
yard.
"Oh, how do wish pad let me 60
f>hin' after dinner, and then I'd finish
this wood pile tomorrow! But he
won't!'-that was what the tramp
heard as at last the big, lazy boy got
up and went to work again.
SAY, sonny, don't you want some
body to saw that wood for you ?" ask
Ell the tramp.
You bet" responded John. turn
ing around.
I'm the man will do it, if you'll
give me bite to eat"
".All right" aSSented John eagerly.
Why not give a poor tramp his din
Ter, besides securing for himself the
promised dime with which to buy fish
hooks and such.
over the fence came the tramp with
bound and at once began work. He
had the appearance Of being a happy
1ellow--nOt one bit sad, nor bad, nor
hungry looking, such as tramp gen
orally is. He was smiling all the time
lie worked, or else was whistling. and
millionaire could not have seemed
jnilier or more contented with his lot
in life. He had curly, black hair, a
clean shaven face, dark blue eyes, and
his clothes were far above the aver
age for tramp Johnnie laid down
In the grass again and stared at his
empOye-not that tramp was by
any means rarity in Dubdale, but
this one was such queer tramp.
Guess you can get me my grub
now, sonny" he remarke ed after bit
I'm most through with this job, and
rs eat a remarkably early breakfast,
and have tramped for fifteen miles,
I'm about ready to dine
Chance favored Johnnie, as she does
many a worse rogue, so that just as
his mother returned from aneighbor's,
where she had gone to borrow some
little thing for dinner, her scheming
son disappeared through the barn yard
gate.
'La-that bow couldn't wait It'll din
ner! \" exclaimed the good lady as she
brushed up the crumbs Johnnie, in his
haste, had left behind. poor child !
he must be hungry" SO she poked up
The fire, and made everything burn for
All Early dinner.
Johnnie brought his tramp cup of
hot coffee and a good substantial
lunch.
How long have you been tramp
lng:" he inquired, as the tramp began
his meal.
about six years, reckon"
Gee whiz don't you get awful
tired?"
stop and rest when l get tired.
No, like tramping first-rate- always
something new going on, and, besides,
I'm always free to do just as please"
Amt it pretty tough in winter :"
was Johnnle's next question.
Il generally steer SOuthWards when
winter is coming on. I've been in a
good many places in these here United
states, ycungster, and bet l get more
fun out of. life-more real, good, hon
est fun that don't hurt nobOdy-than
Rdozen of those fellows all put togeth-
er that stay at home"
"Ye-es," assented Johnnie, "but
don't you want to see your folks, nor
nothing like that 2"
NO. Amt got no folks. That
don't need to worry me any"
YES, but I'd think you would want
t. stay In one place, and get rich, and
have nice clothes, and all that" per
sisted Johnnie, who was almost con-
WINGED of the glorles of tramp life.
"See here, sonny, I've had more
money than ever you seem" retorted
the tramp looking toward the house.
by which he could form some estimate
Of the financial standing Ten years
ago l was worth $4,000" And the
tramp looked impressive.
"My-y stars!" calculated Johnnie.
catching mis- breath. "Well, you aims
got it what's gone with it,"
"Oh-no need to talk about that
replied the tramp, airily. Had Jolly
good time with it, and amt one bit
sorry it's gone. Dress nice? There
wasn't bigger swell in town than me
and drove fine horses, and all thar
sort of thing, you know. But wher
he cash was gone at last, and you be-
! made 1t fly after / was twenty-one
NY aunt. who raised me, didn't hay,